Katy is a diminutive form of the name Catherine or Katherine, which are derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The original meaning of this name is "pure" or "innocent," and it was popularized by Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who was martyred in the fourth century.
The use of Katy as a given name became more common in the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia. However, variations of this name have been used for centuries, with examples found in medieval records from France and England.
One notable historical figure named Katy was Katy Houston, who was an American civil rights activist during the 1960s. She was known for her involvement in the Selma to Montgomery marches and her advocacy for voting rights for African Americans.
Today, Katy is still a popular name for girls, often chosen by parents for its cheerful and approachable sound. It is also sometimes associated with the American singer Katy Perry, whose real name is Katheryn Hudson. However, this has not been proven to have significantly impacted the popularity of the name Katy.
"The name Katy has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over time. From just 7 births in 1880, it peaked at 666 births in 1957 and 674 births in 1987. However, in recent years, its popularity has declined, with only 89 births recorded in 2023."